A view from the Empire State building
I was so excited to finally be visiting New York. I lived in Chicago for 6 years and then a year in Virginia and never managed to make it to New York. So, when my hubby announced there was a History conference (RSA) in NY this year I was hell-bent on going over with him and bringing the kids with us.
I feel very lucky to have a wonderful friend living on Long Island, and even luckier that she was willing to have us stay for the week! We went into the city everyday for four days and walked our legs off. I remember the first time I came out of Penn Station and my eyes boggled at all the bright lights of the massive t/v screens that are pretty much in your face attacking every sense. Seeing a couple large screens on the sides of buildings near Penn Station was just preparation, however, for Time Square…OMG! I thought it was going to be a small corner of Manhattan when in fact Time Square takes up about 4 corner blocks. I want to give you an idea of the great time we had visiting NYC and pictures tell the best story. However, I have reserved all the food pictures for another blog seeing as there is too much to say about the food we ate, drank and drooled over.
For now please take a look at New York City from our perspective and if you have never been or are planning on going then take note: Manhattan is very big so work out the subway (not scary at all), buy a good pair of good walking shoes and soak up all the atmosphere around you. On every street there is something new to discover, I swear the city never sleeps.
Time Square
Proberly the BEST toy store I have ever been in (of course it was in Time Square), this Transformer was just one of the many giants around the store, excitement all round.
Alex and Optimus Prime
It was freezing while we were there but nothing was going to stop us, especially when the sun came out. I am jumping for joy AND trying to keep the circulation pumping around my body seeing as it was like walking into an ice storm on the way back over the bridge. Totally worth a visit though, not everyday is going to be -10 in the wind!
Brooklyn Bridge
A stroll through Central Park is wonderful, especially with such a beautiful city backdrop, I’d love to see it when all the leaves are on the trees (another reason to go back).
Central Park
Walking across the park brought us to the Met where we spent a couple of hours, we could have spent a couple more. However, I really, really wanted to go to the Guggenheim which was just up the road and there are only a certain amount of hours you can coax kids to look, learn and appreciate art. The Guggenheim was as good as I imagined it to be, I love the building as much as the art inside, although, I think the collection in Venice was much more breathtaking.
Guggenheim #3 and check out my very cool new flares!
Daunia walked around with us for the first couple of days and didn’t seem to mind us oohhing and ahhing at the sights. She was even patient enough to take us for a stroll around the waterfront where we got to take a look at Lady Liberty. I had to laugh at my naivety, when she pointed out the dot in the distance as being the Statue of Liberty. After a good giggle and the wind ripping into us, I took a snap of the family and Daunia with the statue way off in the background. Note to self, next time we will ride on the Staten Island ferry for a better look!
Baker boys and Daunia with Statue of Liberty off in the distance
I also highly recommend a stroll on the High-Line; the boys loved the Natural History Museum and a must is the 9/11 Memorial site. It makes you stop, think and reassess the things you think are important in life.
New York is full of life, bustling streets with 101 things to do and see. Daunia very kindly sorted us out with a night at the theatre, we went and saw STOMP which was better than I was expecting and a lot funnier too. The days were long and jam-packed with sights so it should not surprise you that on the train ride home to Long Island the boys chilled out.
Long Island train ride
Next time it’s going to be all about the food, so stay tuned.
Italy Take Two 
Love New York!! Looks like you had a fabulous time Camilla! I was also there in March but in 2000. No snow but very cold! Did you get to go ice skating?
Isn’t it great! No we didn’t ice skate sadly…I completely forgot! 😦
I grew up in NYC. Have enjoyed that hawk’s-eye view a number of times. =) Lovely post.
Thank you, it is a wonderful, friendly city
One of the of places on my “want to go” list!!!! Looks like you took advantage of every second of the trip!
I think we did also! You’ll love it when you get there, I’m sure of it
I have driven through New York in the middle of the night but never really visited. Chad and I both want to go, especially to see some broadway shows. I am glad to hear Stomp was better than you expected (I thought I would never want to see that one, maybe I need to rethink that).
I love all the family pictures.
I can’t wait for your food post, I will make sure to eat a good meal before I read it. Hah
Stomp is the oldest running show in NY and I can understand why it us still booked out. My boys absolutely loved it, very engaging, high energy and lots of laughs- highly recommend especially with Zoe!
Even more convinced I should have visited on one of those many Chicago trips. Probably couldn’t tear myself away from you all! I had flares like that, in the 70s I think!!
Or we wouldn’t let you go!! 🙂 I really don’t understand why flares go out of fashion, they are very flattering for a figured woman!
I was going to mention your flares before you said they were new! Love them. Also. You made it to the Guggenheim! And you think Venice is better? Ok, this is on, I have to bump it up my list now.
Venice is more than just a museum/art showroom, you are surrounded by the past and feel you are enriched…if that makes sense? Just go, you’ll know what I mean
We went to Venice during carnivale one year – great experience, but you don’t get to see much under the crowds! I feel like I’ve hardly been there in some ways.
I hear you, that was something I thought of while we were there as carnivale was on the week after we left. Go again when it is relaxed, you’ll love it
Great photos. Love NY havent been for a long time. Your boys are having the charmed life atm – lucky boys.
A charmed life is right. Trying to tell them this is not ‘normal’ is hard…they will drop back to earth when we get back home I am sure. I told them it has taken me 40 years to get to NY but it didn’t really sink in 🙂
I went with my dad and Daughter to Roma when she was 1. Dad said it took him 60 odd years to get there and she slept through the whole thing lol
🙂 sounds right!
These kids just don’t get it. Instant gratification, instant everything. Lucky ducks.
I love New York too! Looks like you had an amazing trip.
Wow! Baker’s that was certainly an awe inspiring experience, hearing you talk about all those familiar New York names (Long Island, Penn Station, Times Square etc.) made it feel so real, like I was back in familiar territory . . . the only trouble is I haven’t had the pleasure of all those great experiences. A great blog Milly we enjoyed your trip immensely . . . and didn’t have to go through the 24 hr flight. Love Dad/GD
Thanks dad, you would love NY for sure. I’m glad I saved you from the flight xx
New York is brilliant isn’t it? Reading your post makes me wish that Australia wasn’t so far away from everything. I’m glad you got to take advantage of being in the same hemisphere though.
We really are about 6 hours too far in my opinion…teleporting maybe the future!
I’ll never move there but I absolutely love NYC. There really is no place like it on earth. It certainly seems like you toured the city — and with 2 kids yet. You sure tuckered them out! 🙂